Complaint filed after police failed to respond to repeated 911 calls during violent confrontation at University of Winnipeg
On September 26, 2025, Dr. Frances Widdowson, a Canadian academic known for encouraging open debate and discussion at universities across Canada, attended an event at the University of Winnipeg.
Before the event, Winnipeg police had several reasons to expect that protests could turn violent. Police warned the University on September 23 about possible protests, while Dr. Widdowson separately forwarded online threats she had received to police. Campus security also contacted police before the event began.
Protesters threatened and assaulted attendees
Dr. Widdowson arrived on campus at approximately 1:45 p.m. She was accompanied by a professor from the computer science department whose identity was withheld for privacy reasons. He was referred to as Dr. David Martin.
Within minutes of their arrival, a protester confronted Dr. Martin and grabbed his camera.
Video recorded protesters directing insults and threats at participants, including “Go home,” “white piece of trash,” and “I’m surprised you’re still walking.” Other footage showed protesters surrounding Dr. Widdowson as she called out, “Help me! Help!”
A review of hours of video evidence identified at least 15 threats, multiple instances of property damage and mischief, and 28 separate assaults, including shoving, spitting, choking, punching, and unlawful confinement.
Dr. Widdowson appeared to have been assaulted several times. At one point, protesters surrounded her and attempted to drag her off campus. Protesters also physically forced Dr. Martin off campus and assaulted him after he returned.
Police failed to respond to at least eight emergency calls
The first known 911 call was made at approximately 2:20 p.m. after an attendee suffered injuries to his hand and back. Campus security called police shortly afterward.
Over the next hour, campus security, Dr. Widdowson, and others made at least six more emergency calls. One caller reported that an organized gang was present and was assured that officers would attend. Despite at least eight calls for help, Winnipeg police never arrived.
Complaint filed over the police response
On March 24, 2026, lawyers funded by the Justice Centre filed a complaint with Manitoba’s Law Enforcement Review Agency on behalf of Dr. Widdowson.
The complaint drew on hours of video evidence documenting the events of September 26. A video log identified the relevant footage.
The Law Enforcement Review Agency investigates whether police officers committed a “disciplinary default,” including failing to assist or exercising discretion improperly.
The complaint asked the Law Enforcement Review Agency to investigate whether officers failed in their duty to protect public safety and uphold the rule of law during the incident.
Police records were twice refused
On August 25, 2026, lawyers funded by the Justice Centre sought Winnipeg Police Service records related to the incident after earlier requests were refused.
“Procedural fairness exists to ensure that the results of an investigation or quasi-judicial decision can be fairly relied upon with confidence; without it, the truth-seeking function of the complaint process is compromised,” said constitutional lawyer Michelle Nguyen.
Once the disclosure issue was determined, the review of the Commissioner’s decision not to proceed with the complaint was expected to be heard.